AMTRAK TO EXCEED 30 MILLION PASSENGERS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Data for Ohio's three Amtrak routes (comparisons are Oct. 1,2009-June 30, 2010 versus Oct. 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) is as follows......

Cardinal (Chicago - Cincinnati - Washington DC - New York City) ...... ridership up 10.2%; revenues up 20.3%

Capitol Limited (Chicago - Toledo - Sandusky - Elyria - Cleveland - Alliance - Washington DC) ...... ridership up 6.3%; revenues up 12.3%

Lake Shore Limited (Chicago - Bryan - Toledo - Sandusky - Elyria - Cleveland - New York City/Boston) ...... ridership up 10.2%; revenues up 17.2%

Total ridership on Ohio's three trains so far this fiscal year is 538,906 vs. 494,524 at this time last year. Ridership and revenues are also higher than Amtrak had originally budgeted.

SOURCE: Amtrak Media Relations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2011

ATK-11-100
Contact: Media Relations
202 906.3860

AMTRAK TO EXCEED 30 MILLION PASSENGERS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Ridership projections show a new all-time record will be set

WASHINGTON -Amtrak is projecting that for the first time ever its annual ridership will exceed 30 million passengers and in the process set a new all-time record when the current fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
       
"We are having a very strong year because people around the country are choosing the convenience, efficiency and hassle-free environment of Amtrak to meet their travel needs," said President and CEO Joe Boardman.  "Amtrak has wisely invested the federal funding we have received to improve infrastructure and equipment.  Continued investment in Amtrak and passenger rail will support the further growth of this increasingly vital transportation option."
      
Amtrak is basing its projection of more than 30 million passengers on strong June ridership numbers and expected ticket sales for July, August and September. June 2011 was the best June on record with more than 2.6 million passengers for the month and marked 20 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth, a streak that began in November 2009. 
      
This strong performance is part of a long-term trend that has seen Amtrak set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY 2010.
      
Comparing the first nine months of FY 2011 (October - June) to the same time period in FY 2010, national Amtrak ridership is up 6.4 percent so far this fiscal year and all three major business lines are showing gains: the Northeast Corridor up 5.6 percent, state-supported and other short distance corridors up 7.8 percent, and long-distance trains up 3.9 percent.  
      
Factors contributing to the continuing success of Amtrak include high gasoline prices, continued growth in business travel on the high-speed Acela Express trains with free Wi-Fi service, the increased appeal and popularity of rail travel, and effective marketing campaigns.

About Amtrak®: 
Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America's Railroad, Amtrak is the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator.  A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces.  Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies.  Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010.  Enjoy the journey at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.  Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.

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Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org